IllinoisBasser

Any boat costs money. I have invested double in my small boat than what I initially paid for it. A foot-Controlled Trolling motor, a quality battery, and not too mention a charger will set you back at least 400 bucks. Plywood, Bracing, Carpet, Adhesive, Deck Screws,Waterseal. It all adds up. Of course, you don't have to get everything done at once. Get it licensed, run the boat on the lake, evaluate the trailer, motor and boat from top to bottom. If the lights are shot on the trailer, replace them. Check the grease in the bearings. If the tires are dry-rotted, don't take the risk and replace them. You can usually find a Trolling motor that fits your needs on the many fishing forums as well as Craigslist or watch the sale ads at your local BPS or Cabela's. It can be an expensive investment. I went at least $500 over my budget when putting my current boat together. At the time I wondered how much more is it going to cost? The boat was ready for the water and fishable in March. Since then a new depthfinder was added, the carb was worked on, and a bilge was added. And to think I still have to buy a new/used prop due to the previous owner beating it up. Boats are not cheap, but they are enjoyable and an excellent learning experience. Best of luck!

Last year we started putting on Tournaments on Washington Co. lake. It is a 10 horse lake so anyone with a larger motor is trolling motor only. You can use your big motor to trailer your boat and if you have a small jonboat like many of us do. You must at a minimum have a cooler with an aerator. These are low entry fee($20) with a 100% payback. $5 optional Big Bass sidepot. 5 bass limit per boat with a 14 inch minimum. Last year a few of us started throwing $20 bucks in the hat and held 2 tournaments with a 5-10 boat turnout. This year we are going to have 3 tournaments and see where it goes. At some point I would like to see this blossom into a small horse lake tourney group. There are a fair amount of horsepower lakes in Southern Illinois that would make it worthwhile. Please email tsweet@gatewayedi.com with any questions.

Last year we started putting on Tournaments on Washington Co. lake. It is a 10 horse lake so anyone with a larger motor is trolling motor only. You can use your big motor to trailer your boat and if you have a small jonboat like many of us do. You must at a minimum have a cooler with an aerator. These are low entry fee($20) with a 100% payback. $5 optional Big Bass sidepot. 5 bass limit per boat with a 14 inch minimum. Last year a few of us started throwing $20 bucks in the hat and held 2 tournaments with a 5-10 boat turnout. This year we are going to have 3 tournaments and see where it goes. At some point I would like to see this blossom into a small horse lake tourney group. There are a fair amount of horsepower lakes in Southern Illinois that would make it worthwhile. Please email (Tom) tsweet@gatewayedi.com with any questions. This will also be posted in the Central Fishing Locations for any of the Missouri guys/gals that would like to join us.

Dink is currently without a computer and wanted to pass on an invite to anyone who's interested. He is currently looking at the 1st one near the end of May and holding one a month for the rest of the season. Cost is $20 a boat and is 100% Payback. Washington Co. is a 10 horse restricted lake. Boats over 10 horse are welcome and may run the big motor to trailer their boat only. I'll post more information when I have it. Anyone interested can send me a PM.

Dink is currently without a computer and wanted to pass on an invite to anyone who's interested. He is currently looking at the 1st one near the end of May and holding one a month for the rest of the season. Cost is $20 a boat and is 100% Payback. Washington Co. is a 10 horse restricted lake. Boats over 10 horse are welcome and may run the big motor to trailer their boat only. I'll post more information when I have it. Anyone interested can send me a PM.

Ditto on the SS staples.

If you have the budget to get quality Marine carpet. You won't regret the decision. If you don't, you still have options. Depending where you live, Lowes and Home Depot sell Marine Carpet. It isn't much more cost wise than that plastic indoor outdoor carpet that may last one season. Especially if you leave the boat outside uncovered. My 14 Ft. jonboat was carpeted for under 60 bucks. When getting my boat ready, cost was a factor. I opted for Marine Carpet from Lowes and it turned out well. My boat is stored indoors, so it does see the minimum of of rain and UV rays. Carpeting the boat is time consuming. Don't forget to use adhesive on the edges and use Quality staples. One late night during the end of the build. I ran out of 1/2 inch staples. It was late at night and after rummaging around my garage, I found 3/8 staples. That part of the build was redone the next day. Best of luck to you. Let us know how it turns out. Cart- Fishing Washco on Saturday. Dink will be out there as well in his boat.

Due to gas prices, Dink will be be unable to attend saturday. I will not make it out either. I have some family obligations Saturday. If it was on Sunday, I'd be there. fishing Washco Sunday with the new lil boat. Good luck guys.

Cabela's has Adult life jackets for a little over 10 bucks right now. They also have childrens for under 10 bucks. I picked up 5 life jackets. You can't put a price on a life, that's for sure.

Provided I don't have a tournament. you can count me in. Dink is without a computer. I'm sure he'll be interested. you'll need to call him. I'll be bringing my little Jon and possibly Dink with his boat

Raul, Where did you find pictures of those two Jon Boats? I will be starting a project like picture 2 very soon. Are there any other forums, for Tin boat owners that have some more information on decking, etc.?

English, Native American x-2, and German.

I'll be there after work friday as well.

I'll be there. there is a guy there that makes some awesome buzzbaits. I wish Gene Cailey was still making his spinnerbaits, those were some great ones.

I'm off every weekend. What are you doing next weekend?

I have yet to fish Newton. I plan to fish up there hopefully next year and also Powerton. If it's a Powerplant lake, don't be afraid to throw a buzzbait, even if it's snowing.

Baldwin, Wash Co, Coffeen, Lake Of Egypt.

I fish year round. This time of year for me is Hot Water Lake season. Anyone out there still fishing? During the winter months I prefer to fish with a buddy for safety reasons. Anyone still out there fishing and has a spare seat?

I fish year round. This time of year for me is Hot Water Lake season. Anyone out there still fishing? During the winter months I prefer to fish with a buddy for safety reasons. Anyone still out there fishing and has a spare seat?

I'm planning on buying a boat in early spring of 08. I currently have a 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette with a V-6 at around 85,000 miles. Last I checked, the towing capacity is 2000 Lbs. Anyone here tow with a Minivan? I'm looking at due to weight and cost, buying an aluminum at least 16 ft. with at least a 25 on the back. Does anyone use an Transmission cooler on their minivan? If so, roughly what's the cost of getting something like that installed?

Those Beaver Baits are good looking, So is the Fork Craw, looks like a great trailer.

My neighbor sent me this. Thought I would share. Enjoy. 17 Things That It Took Me 50 Years To Learn ============================================ 1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. 2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings." 3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." 4. You should not confuse your career with your life. 5. No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously. 6. When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy. 7. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. 8. Never lick a steak knife. 9. Take out the fortune before you eat the cookie. 10. The most powerful force in the universe is gossip. 11. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time. 12. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment. 13. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven. 14. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers. 15. The main accomplishment of almost all organized protests is to annoy people who are not in them. 16. A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.) 17. Your friends love you anyway.

The Christmas Brew is pretty good as well. Anyone fond of Newcastle? I enjoy it, I just don't enjoy the price.

Cart's right. There is a Mickey D's not too when you exit off of 64 and there is a Hardee's in the middle of Nashville.

Pick any weekend CJ, I'll drive down. It's less than a 3 hour trip for me.